Page 20 of The Secret Of Us

“What was he saying to you?” I ask Noah, keeping my voice quiet because I’m still worried about scaring him off.

He turns his head to look at me, his eyes searching mine for a second like he’s trying to figure out why I care. He drops his gaze to the floor, shaking his head once before lifting it and looking ahead again. I keep my eyes focused on him.

“I don’t think he likes me much,” Noah says.

“He’s a loser, anyway.”

It’s childish, but it’s the first thing that comes to mind. I don’t think Noah expected me to say that because he lets out a small laugh, covering his mouth with the back of his hand.

“Thanks for stepping in,” he says timidly. “I really appreciate it.”

He turns his head to look at me again and catches me staring. I don’t look away even though he does, and I see the tips of his ears turning pink.

“I didn’t like the way he was talking to you.” I shrug. It’s as simple as that. Noah didn’t deserve to be cornered like that, especially not by Ryan.

I only then realise what I actually said.

“I don’t really like you,” I blurt, louder than I meant to.

He turns to me again, cocking his head to one side, with an eyebrow raised. This time, I’m the first to look away. I’m already struggling to get my words out, and somehow, it’s worse when he’s looking at me.

“I mean, I do like you, but not like that,” I splutter out, my words coming out faster than my brain can put them together. “I like you as a friend. Not that we’re friends. We don’t know each other that well yet, I guess. I’d like to be friends, if you’d want that. But it’s okay if you don’t?—“

“I get it, Izzy,” he says, humour in his tone.

When I work up the courage to look at him, his lips are tilted up at the corners. It’s the first time he’s said my name, and it sounds lovely.

He turns away from me again, his eyes focused ahead, but I want them on me. I feel like I got a step closer to seeing his real smile.

We face each other as we reach the split between the boys’ and girls’ dorms and come to a standstill.

“Thanks, again,” he repeats. “You didn’t have to do that for me.”

“It was nothing. If he keeps bothering you, let me know,” I tell him, my tone stern.

He lets out a soft laugh then but doesn’t cover it with his hand this time. A small crease that’s not quite a dimple appears on his left cheek. I’m not sure what was funny about what I said, but if it gets this kind of reaction from him? I’ll say it over and over again.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” he says, taking his hands out of his pockets and raising one.

I’m not sure what part of my brain assumed he was going for a high five instead of a wave, but as soon as my palm connects with his, I regret it instantly. He tilts his head to one side, that small dimple appearing again. I do the most rational thing I can think of and run away from him.

When I’m safely in my room, I slam my door shut. I press my back to it, sliding to the floor, and knocking my head against it.

Why did I do that?A high five?And why did I make it worse by running away?

After a few moments of overthinking the entire interaction with Noah and making plans to move to another country, I stand up. It’s only just after seven, but I’ve decided the day can end right now.

I take a shower, washing my hair and noticing that my roots are starting to come through. I’ll have to bleach it again when I go home and see Violet.

I get changed into pyjamas and settle into bed with my laptop, book, and phone. I need multiple ways to distract myself so I don’t spiral and actually book a flight to the other side of the world with my savings.

I open up my phone, checking to see what the girls have been up to while they abandoned me.

Chloe

Shall we go off campus for dinner this weekend?

Amelia

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